--- title: Does the menstrual cycle affect well-being and performance in professional female soccer players? description: The menstrual cycle phase did not affect how far players ran, how hard they worked, or their overall well-being after matches. Sleep quality was worse after a url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/menstrual-cycle-and-situational-match-variables-effects-on-well-being-in-2024/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does the menstrual cycle affect well-being and performance in professional female soccer players? Survey study, 2024 # Does the menstrual cycle affect well-being and performance in professional female soccer players? The menstrual cycle phase did not affect how far players ran, how hard they worked, or their overall well-being after matches. Sleep quality was worse after away matches, and losing affected stress and mood for 2 days, regardless of cycle phase. Early or limited evidence 22 professional female soccer players (average age 25 years) from the Women's Super League in England ## What they did Researchers studied 22 professional female soccer players (average age 25 years) over 26 matches in the 2021-2022 season. Players reported their menstrual cycle phase and their well-being including soreness, sleep, stress, mood, and fatigue on match day and for 3 days after. Researchers also measured the distance players ran and their effort level using GPS technology. ## What they found Menstrual cycle phase had no effect on distance covered, effort level, soreness, stress, or mood. Sleep quality was worse on the day after away matches and 2 days after away matches (to a lesser degree). Stress and mood were more than 28% worse after playing higher-ranked teams. Losing matches made stress and mood significantly worse for 2 days. Playing position and menstrual cycle phase did not affect well-being. ## What it means for you For professional athletes, the menstrual cycle phase does not seem to affect sports performance or how players feel after playing. Match location (home versus away) and result matter much more. The findings are limited by the small number of players and that it was only one team. 22 Professional soccer players studied 26 Matches across the 2021-2022 season 28% Worse stress and mood after playing top-ranked teams ## About the study Original title Menstrual Cycle and Situational Match Variables: Effects on Well-Being in Professional Female Soccer Players Authors Abbott W, Exall Z, Walsh L et al. Journal Research quarterly for exercise and sport Year 2024 Study design Survey study Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2023.2298443](https://doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2023.2298443) ## Topics [Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Sleep and insomnia](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-sleep/)[Fatigue and energy](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-fatigue/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)[Quality of life and daily functioning](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-quality-of-life/)[Athletes and sport](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-athletes/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Study, 2025 Does the menstrual cycle affect sleep, energy, and injury risk in young female athletes? Randomised trial, 2025 Does whole-body cryostimulation improve sleep quality in female athletes during different menstrual phases? Survey study, 2024 Are menstrual cycle symptoms related to sleep problems and mental health in female athletes? Systematic review, 2022 Do athletes' feelings and performance change across the menstrual cycle? Cohort study, 2024 How does sleep change across your menstrual cycle? Survey study, 2022 What factors are associated with irregular menstrual cycles and how do irregular cycles affect other symptoms? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗